How to Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM)?

How to Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM)? – Cisco SDM (Security Device Manager) is a program that is among the purchased Cisco Router equipment. With this program, we can easily configure the basic router configuration by connecting to the router web interface.

How to Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM)?

What is Cisco SDM? After briefly discussing the Cisco SDM program first, we will go through the installation of Cisco SDM with GNS3 and VMware interaction.

We usually use the CLI when we are configuring a Cisco router. However, for system users or administrators who they are the beginner with Cisco commands, Cisco SDM is a helpful tool for configuring the Cisco router configuration in the simplest way.

Two types of Cisco SDM tools are available. These;

Cisco SDM Express Package

The Cisco SDM Express Package is a tool with limited features and allows configuration of core settings.

To summarize, Cisco SDM does not support all Cisco routers. We can not do all the settings that can be done with the CLI through the SDM and are therefore limited. If you want, you can do the initial configuration from the Security Device Manager interface. If the option is simpler to you, you can choose that path. It is not necessary to use the Cisco Router Security Device Manager. However, Cisco routers should also be known to be able to be configured with SDM.

Because of these reasons, you can need to install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM) program.

How to Use Cisco SDM?

It needs to be known how to use Cisco SDM before go through the title called “Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM)”. After briefly discussing what is Cisco SDM?, let’s answer the question “how to use Cisco SDM?” When we received a new Cisco Router, we said that Cisco SDM might be among the equipment that was found next to it.

In different Cisco models, it comes integrated with the bootloader. Java Runtime 1.5 or 1.6 is required for Cisco SDM installation. It does not work properly in current Java versions. There are also programs that I have been keeping for a long time. I will share them with you in the next articles.

The best program to use for Cisco SDM installation is GNS3. You’ve heard the GNS3 program before. But I’m guessing that most of the beginner use the Cisco Packet Tracer program. With GNS3 you can design more specific networks and work with real Cisco Router IOS software.

We need some required programs in order to install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM) program. We can now proceed to SDM installation for Cisco routers. First, download the Cisco SDM V2.5 version and the Java version required for this software from the following buttons. Download the image of Cisco IOS c3725 on GNS3.

Cisco SDM V2.5 Download

Java JRE-6u17 for Cisco SDM Download

Cisco IOS c3725 for SDM Download

After downloading the necessary programs from the above buttons, we will have to create a small topology in the GNS3 network simulator program.

How to Setup SDM with GNS3?

How to Setup SDM with GNS3?. We will proceed step-by-step through the installation of SDM with GNS3. After downloading the programs I have listed above, open the GNS3 program and then add the Cisco IOS c3725 image to the GNS3 program.

After adding the Cisco IOS c3725 image, we can continue with the rest of the process.

Step 1

After you open the GNS3 program, you create a new project.

Step 2

After you have introduced the Cisco IOS c3725 IOS image you downloaded from the above, simply drag and drop the c3725 model Router into the workspace.

Step 3

Place one Switch and Host in the GNS3 workspace. Then connect the devices from the cable add button as shown in the bottom view. Connect to the FastEthernet0/0 interface of the router. VMnet Workstation Create VMnets in the Virtual Network Editor program. Once you have created VMnet3, it is a good idea to restart your computer once.

To show the Windows operating system you are using in the VMWare Workstation program interface through VMnet3 to the Host, right-click on the Host, remove the connection interfaces in the configuration settings, and add only VMnet3.

After saving the settings, select the VMnet3 network unit on Host1 by activating the Add Networking button in the left part of GNS3.

Step 4

When you right click on the router, click the configuration option.

Step 5

We need to create a Flash disk for the router. In the R1 configuration window, click Memories and Disks.

Step 6

Click on the PCMCIA disk0: option. Here we specify the size for the Flash disk.

Step7

Set a value of 28MB for Cisco router SDM setup.

Step8

Now run the Cisco Router and then double-click on the Router or right-click the console link to enter the commands required for Cisco router SDM setup. Because we write the command here, we need to enable the username, password and Http / Https protocol so that we can access the Cisco Router via SDM via the web.

After you have logged the above commands with the command [R1 # wr], in the Router CLI command interface, type R1 # show running-config, then type the command “show running configuration”

Step 10

Running-config more…

Step 11

Running-config more…

Step 12

In the physical computer you are now working on, change the IPnet settings for the VMnet3 interface that you created with the VMware Workstation Virtual Network Editor program with the values shown below and save it. Because we gave the 192.168.8.1 IP address to the FastEthernet0/0 interface of the router. To avoid any confusion, we recommend that you always set a different value for these settings from 1.

Step 13

Windows 8.1 operating system is installed on VMware Workstation. You can set up the Windows 8.1 operating system to follow the settings here. Change the network board of the Windows 8.1 operating system to VMnet3.

From the Network and Sharing Center, assign the 192.168.8.10 IP address to the Windows 8.1 virtual machine. If the settings are the same as in the image below, there will be no problem. You can then try these operations with different IP addresses or different operating systems.

Step 14

We told you that the Cisco JRE is required for Cisco router SDM setup. Install the Java program you downloaded from the above buttons into the Windows 8.1 virtual machine.

Step 15

There is a benefit to run it as an administrator.

Step 16

After installing the Java JRE software, we need to modify the Java settings for the Cisco router SDM setup. Otherwise, it will give an error. On the Windows 8.1 virtual machine, go to the Control Panel and find the Java software and click it.

Step 17

After opening the Java Control Panel, press the View button on the Java tab and a small window will open immediately. Enter and save the value [-Xmx256m] as shown below.

Step 18

So far, so good. There is only one problem, it is the format process for the Flash Disk we have attached. If you do not do this, Cisco Router will give a space fault while SDM is installed. Type in this field [erase flash:]and press Enter, then you will be prompted to format the Flash Disk.

Step19

After you confirm the Confirm option, you need to get the Erase of flash: complete notification at the bottom. If the operation is successful, proceed to the next step.

Step 20

If you are going to check the Flash Disk size, you can see its value after running [show file system].

Step 21

For the Cisco router SDM setup, you need to install the SDM V2.5 version you downloaded from the above. Once you have extracted the zipped file, run the Setup exe file in the folder as an administrator.

Step 22

In the Cisco SDM window, click the Next button.

Step 23

In the License Agreement window, accept the agreement and click on the Next button.

Step 24

In the installation options window, you are asked where to install the SDM program. We continue by selecting the Cisco Router option for the Cisco Router.

Step 25

In the router authentication window, the Router’s FastEthernet 0/0 Ip address is requested with the username and password created with the username. After filling in the required fields, click on the Next button.

At the end of the installation options window, select Typical to continue.

Step 28

In the Cisco SDM components selection window, continue by selecting both options.

Step 29

In the ready to install program window, click the Install button.

Step 30

Preparing the installation…

Step 31

Copying to SDM Router…

Step 32

Cisco router SDM setup has been successfully completed. Once you have selected the Start Cisco SDM option, click the Finish button.

Step 33

After opening Internet Explorer, a small window will pop up. As you can see, there is an IP address in the browser address line that we give to the FastEthernet0/0 interface of the Cisco Router. From here, select the Use recommended settings option and click OK.

Step 34

Internet Explorer gives a security certificate error.

Step 35

You can pass this error by going to your websites.

Step 36

Enter the user name and password that was created to connect to the Cisco Router Security Appliance Manager on this screen.

Step 37

Click the OK button.

Step 38

You may be faced with a minor error. This is because the SDM program is incompatible with new browsers. Click the OK button.

Step 39

From the browser developer options, set the browser compatibility mode to version 7. If it fails again, proceed to the next step.

Step 40

To disable the Popup feature from the Internet options, uncheck the tick option.

Step 41

Click OK to save the settings. If you fail again, the next step will definitely solve this problem.

Step 42

Click on Internet browser properties and then click Compatibility View.

How to Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM) ⇒ Video

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Final Word

We have completed the topic called the “How to Install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM)?”. After briefing you on the question of how to install Cisco SDM, I shared the questions about how to install Cisco SDM and the programs you need for the software. Finally, we have prepared for the Cisco router SDM setup and successfully completed the SDM installation. We have completed the SDM setup process in 51 steps all the adjustments. You can also install Cisco Security Device Manager (SDM) on different Cisco Router models. I hope this article would help you.

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